Six Lawyers Recognized by Best Lawyers® as “Lawyer of the Year” Award Winners; 15 Lawyers Listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch America™
August 17, 2023
ORLANDO, Fla. – GrayRobinson today announced 125 lawyers have been recognized by Best Lawyers® in 2024 in America. Of its 125 lawyers, six lawyers were recognized by Best Lawyers as “Lawyer of the Year” award winners and 15 lawyers were listed in the fourth edition of the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™.
Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. For the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, more than 12.2 million votes were analyzed. Below is the complete list of GrayRobinson recognized lawyers for 2024.
GrayRobinson “Lawyer of the Year” Honors
Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” honors are awarded annually to only one lawyer per practice area in each region with extremely high overall feedback from their peers, making it an exceptional distinction. The following six lawyers were recognized by Best Lawyers as the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” award winners for their respective practice areas in their respective regions.
- Michael J. Colitz III: Patent Law, Tampa
- Jorge T. Espinosa: Copyright Law, Miami
- Jeffrey D. Keiner: Arbitration, Orlando
- Marlene Quintana: Employment Law – Management, Miami
- Gary I. Resnick: Government Relations Practice, Fort Lauderdale
- David L. Smith: Land Use and Zoning Law, Tampa
GrayRobinson Recognized Lawyers
The following 110 lawyers were recognized in the 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America. The lawyers are listed alphabetically by office location, including their respective practice areas and the year they were first recognized in The Best Lawyers in America.
Boca Raton
- Alan L. Goodman (2023): Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
- Wendy U. Larsen (2015): Land Use and Zoning Law
- Stacey D. Mullins (*): Family Law
Fort Lauderdale
- Scott L. Cagan (2018): Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Thomas H. Loffredo (2016): Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Gary I. Resnick (2020): Communications Law, Government Relations Practice
- Patrick S. Scott (2006): Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy
- Donald S. Showalter (2006): Copyright Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent, Patent Law
- Robyn Vines (*): Family Law
- Philip Ward (*): Commercial Litigation
Fort Myers
- Michael D. Randolph (2020): Construction Law
- Luis E. Rivera II (2021): Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Bankruptcy
Gainesville
- Stephanie M. Marchman (2022): Employment Law – Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Jacksonville
- William H. Andrews (1989): Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Jason B. Burnett (2018): Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy
- Lee Stathis Haramis (2020): Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Insurance
- Reese J. Henderson, Jr. (2017): Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
- Terry A. Moore (2006): Litigation - Real Estate, Real Estate Law
- S. Grier Wells (2019): Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Lakeland
- Kristie Hatcher-Bolin (2021): Appellate Practice
- Mark N. Miller (2016): Commercial Litigation
- Sandra G. Sheets (2015): Trusts and Estates
- John K. Vreeland (2006): Trusts and Estates
- Natalie R. Wilson (2023): Trusts and Estates
Melbourne
- Rex E. Moule, B.C.S. (2012): Trusts and Estates
- Erik P. Shuman (2010): Corporate Law, Elder Law, Trusts and Estates
Miami
- Brian H. Bieber (2013): Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- Stephanie L. Carman (2022): Commercial Litigation, Qui Tam Law
- Ted C. Craig (2020): Commercial Litigation
- Jorge T. Espinosa (2006): Copyright Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Patent Law
- Bradley S. Gould (2009): Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
- Kevin M. Levy (2007): Privacy and Data Security Law, Technology Law
- Neil P. Linden (2013): Commercial Litigation, Mediation
- Elio F. Martinez Jr. (2021): Commercial Litigation
- Juan C. Martinez (2023): Real Estate Law
- Anastasia Protopapadakis (*): Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Marlene Quintana, B.C.S. (2016): Employment Law - Individuals, Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Jack R. Reiter (2010): Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation
- Robert A. Schatzman (1989): Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy
- Steven J. Solomon (2010): Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy
- Nicolas J. Watkins (2017): Immigration Law
Naples
- John Paul Bratcher (*): Trusts and Estates
- Andrew J. Krause (2003): Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
- Derek P. Rooney (2018): Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law
Orlando
- Trevor B. Arnold, B.C.S. (2010): Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
- Jeffrey T. Bankowitz (2021): Real Estate Law
- R. Lee Bennett (2010): Corporate Law
- John A. Boudet (2010): Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
- William A. Boyles (2015): Health Care Law, Tax Law
- John M. Brennan (2006): Banking and Finance Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation
- Michael J. Canan (1995): Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
- Christopher Carmody, Jr. (*): Government Contracts, Government Relations Practice
- Mark J. Chmielarski (2019): Real Estate Law
- W. Michael Clifford (2007): Trusts and Estates
- Rachael Crews (2023): Commercial Litigation
- V. Nicholas Dancaescu (2022): Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
- Randolph H. Fields (2003): Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Phillip R. Finch (2008): Real Estate Law
- Robert L. Harding (2020): Health Care Law, Real Estate Law
- Kent L. Hipp (2007): Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
- James J. Hoctor (2006): Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Tax Law
- Jeffrey D. Keiner (2006): Arbitration, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction, Mediation
- Roy S. Kobert (2006): Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation
- Byrd F. Marshall, Jr. (2006): Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Jack K. McMullen (2019): Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
- Michael E. Neukamm (2010): Corporate Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
- David S. Oliver (2006): Commercial Litigation
- Borron J. Owen, Jr. (2019): Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
- Nicole Park (2018): Family Law
- T. Todd Pittenger (2008): Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Real Estate Law
- Pamela O. Price (2012): Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
- Paul S. Quinn, Jr. (2013): Real Estate Law
- Heather M. Ramos (2020): Land Use and Zoning Law
- Christopher M. Ramsey (2020): Patent Law, Trademark Law
- Richard A. Rodgers (2018): Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
- Lisa A. Specht (2020): Corporate Law, Tax Law
- Susan T. Spradley (2009): Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management
- Jenny K. Sullivan (2018): Family Law
- Thomas R. Sullivan (2021): Land Use and Zoning Law
Tallahassee
- Andy Bardos (2023): Commercial Litigation
- Dean Cannon (2021): Government Relations Practice
- George Levesque (2023): Administrative / Regulatory Law, Commercial Litigation, Government Relations Practice
Tampa
- Richard M. Blau (2011): Food and Beverage Law
- Frank E. Brown (2006): Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Michael J. Colitz, III (2018): Patent Law
- Elizabeth A. DeConti (2019): Administrative / Regulatory Law
- Brian Fender (*): Public Finance Law
- Jeanette M. Flores (2008): Real Estate Law
- Thomas M. Gonzalez (1987): Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Robert E. Johnson (2023): Commercial Litigation
- Stephen L. Kussner (2003): Real Estate Law
- Debra Deardourff Larsen (2015): Copyright Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Trademark Law
- Julia C. Mandell (*): Litigation - Municipal, Municipal Law
- David J. Ottinger (2021): Tax Law
- Frederick S. Schrils (2015): Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Securities
- David L. Smith (2016): Banking and Finance Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law
West Palm Beach
- Michael J. Drahos (2023): Admiralty and Maritime Law, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
- Ronald P. Ponzoli, Jr. (2013): Commercial Litigation
GrayRobinson “Ones to Watch” Recognitions
The following 15 lawyers were included in the 2024 edition of the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. These awards are given to lawyers early in their legal careers. An awarded lawyer can be recognized for multiple years. The lawyers are listed alphabetically by office location, including their respective practice areas and the year they were first recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.
Boca Raton
- Emily Pineless (2022): Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Government Relations Practice, Insurance Law
Lakeland
- Matthew D. Jones (2021): Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Government Relations Practice
- Katherine Sultenfuss Schichtel (2021): Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
Miami
- Fabian Ruiz (2021): Labor and Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Joseph R. Salzverg (2021): Administrative / Regulatory Law, Government Relations Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law
Orlando
- Jeff Aaron (2021): Commercial Litigation, Government Relations Practice, Intellectual Property Law, Technology Law
- Christopher T. Dawson (2021): Administrative / Regulatory Law, Construction Law, Government Relations Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law
- Summer E. DeGel (2021): Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
- G. Brock Magruder III (2021): Commercial Litigation, Education Law, Entertainment and Sports Law, Intellectual Property Law, Technology Law
- Adam Miller (*): Commercial Litigation
- Katherine W. Katz (*): Construction Law, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tallahassee
- Ashley H. Lukis (2021): Administrative / Regulatory Law, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Government Relations Practice, Transportation Law
Tampa
- Natasha Khoyi (2021): Labor and Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
- Josef Y. Rosen (2021): Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property Law, Litigation – Securities, Securities Regulation
- Dane E. Leitner (2022): Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate
For more information on Best Lawyers, please visit BestLawyers.com.
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About Best Lawyers®
Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected lawyer ranking service in the world. For more than four decades, Best Lawyers has assisted those in need of legal services to identify the lawyers best qualified to represent them in distant jurisdictions or unfamiliar specialties. Best Lawyers awards are published in leading local, regional and national publications across the globe. Lawyers who are nominated for consideration are voted on by currently recognized Best Lawyers working in the same practice area and located in the same geographic region. Best Lawyers awards and recognitions are based purely on the feedback received from these top lawyers. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, recognition by Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor.
About GrayRobinson
GrayRobinson is a multidimensional team of attorneys, advisors, and consultants recognized as one of the most influential firms in Florida. Its nearly 300 professionals partner with successful businesses and enterprising individuals to resolve disputes, anticipate industry shifts, and harness forward momentum. The firm serves clients nationally from 15 offices across Florida and Washington, D.C. Learn more at Gray-Robinson.com.
Contact
Kristen Bridges, kristen.bridges@gray-robinson.com, 850.545.1917
Erin Charles, erin.charles@gray-robinson.com, 717.823.3925